Why Did I Want That? Trivia Quiz

Answer: France

The new trains were only a few centimetres too wide for the platforms, but the large number of platforms affected meant that this blunder cost the French taxpayer in excess of 50 million euros ($68.4m; £40.6m). To make matters worse, Jacques Rapoport, the president of RFF, the rail operator blamed for the oversight, played down the error, saying "50 million euros is a drop in the ocean." At least weekly newspaper "Le Canard Enchaîne" saw the funny side when they published a cartoon with the caption, "The Paris-Brest train is entering the station. Please pull in your stomachs."

Answer: Kevin Costner

"The Shawshank Redemption", starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, was shot on a $25 million budget and although not a box office hit initially, was re released on the back of its seven Oscar nominations enabling it to gross $58.3 million, as well as becoming one of the top rented VHS films of the year. "Waterworld", on the other hand, was at the time, the most expensive movie ever made at an estimated $235 million and grossed just $264 million worldwide.

It was nominated for one Oscar, that of "Best Sound" and review site "Rotten Tomatoes", who give the movie a 42% rating, compared to "Shawshank's" 91%, describe it as "an ambitious misfire: an extravagant sci-fi flick with some decent moments and a lot of silly ones."

Answer: Joseph Goebbels

In fairness, Goebbels probably didn't have a lot of choice in his decision as at that time, the US government controlled the only significant supplies of helium, and refused to supply it to the Nazi government. The Hindenburg burst into flames while docking at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey, from where it was contracted by American Airlines to shuttle passengers to Newark airport for plane flights.

In just 37 seconds the Hindenburg was destroyed and 36 of the 97 people aboard died when static electricity in the air was earthed by the mooring ropes and caused sparks.

There is a school of thought that speculates the reason for the fire was not the hydrogen but instead the cellulose acetate used to waterproof the cotton fabric as the airship burned with a red flame, not the almost invisible blue flame one would expect from hydrogen.

Answer: Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon predicted that his "Grande Armee", numbering over 600,000 men would take control of Russia within 20 days and after entering Russia on 24 June 1812, and a few minor skirmishes, engaged with the Russian army at Smolensk. The Russians retreated, using scorched earth tactics that left Napoleon unable to provide for his troops. On September 7th, the French found the Russians dug in at the town of Borodino, and although the French won this battle, it was not decisive as the Russians once again retreated, destroying anything of use. Napoleon's army entered Moscow a week later, to find it abandoned and burned.

After recuperating for a month in Moscow and a further inconclusive battle at Maloyaroslavets, Napoleon retreated towards the Polish border, only to find progress slowed by the Russian winter, which also caused widespread hypothermia.

A lack of food for both men and horses, along with constant attacks by Cossacks meant that by the time Napoleon crossed the Berezina River to head into Poland, the "Grande Armee" numbered only 27,000 men and the war had lasted almost six months.

Answer: Segway

Heselden is believed to have reversed on his Segway to allow a dog walker room to pass on the cliff top near Thorp Arch, West Yorkshire and fell 42 feet (13 metres) to his death, dying from blunt force trauma sustained in his descent. Segway was founded in 1999 by the inventor Dean Kamen.

Answer: Fourth

England got off to a great start in the 2018 World Cup, beating Tunisia 2-1 and thrashing Panama 6-1, prompting Richardson to get his tattoo. The team then lost 1-0 to Belgium, but were still able to advance from the group stages and face Colombia who they beat on penalties.

In the quarter finals, Sweden were dispatched 2-0, setting up a semi final match against Croatia. Unfortunately for English fans, and Richardson in particular, England lost by a score of 2-1. leaving Croatia to go on to the final, while England played Belgium for third place, a match which Belgium won 2-0. Richardson, displaying great character, denied having any regrets, saying, "It is better to have believed and lost than not to have believed at all."

Answer: Coca-Cola

Coke II or New Coke as it became known was produced in response to blind taste tests that showed consumers preferred the sweeter taste of rival Pepsi Cola. Although the change was initially well received, problems arose in the southern United States which was Coke's homeland.

The company's hotline, which previously averaged 400 calls per day was now receiving in excess of 1500 calls and the company received over 40,000 letters from consumers expressing their displeasure at the change. Old style coke, or Coca-Cola Classic, was quickly reintroduced to production plants and Coke II was phased out completely in 2002.

Answer: November 22nd 1963

Having the top down would allow JFK and wife Jackie to be seen by the maximum number of people, but it also allowed assassin, former U.S. Marine Lee Harvey Oswald, a clear shot. Kennedy was travelling in the vehicle with Texas governor John Connally who was also injured in the shooting but went on to make a full recovery. Oswald was shot and killed on live TV in the basement of Dallas Police Headquarters by nightclub owner Jack Ruby.

Answer: Cane Toad

A reluctance to use pesticides for fear of damaging harmless insect species was behind the decision to bring cane toads in from Hawaii. What the Bureau didn't foresee was how quickly the toad would adapt and the threats it would pose. 102 toads were released into the wild in 1935 and by 2016, their numbers are in excess of 200 million, causing a huge decline in the number of skinks, monitor lizards and snakes as their habitats are taken over.

The toad is also responsible for the spread of diseases to other animals as well as causing death in predators such as freshwater crocodiles and dingoes due to poison-producing glands on the back of the toad's head.

Answer: £1

Ninth Floor may have only paid £100 for the Welsh team, but they also had to pay off debts valued at £500,000. The club won promotion to the second division but didn't have the players or the depth of squad to stay there and were relegated after just one season. Ninth Floor made a loss each of the four seasons that they were owners, in particular a loss of £567,000 in 2000, prompting the decision to sell to club managing director Mike Lewis for £1 and doubtless prompting the question, "Why did I want that?"